Environmental needs

• cold blooded animals are exothermic, they cannot regulate their own body temperature
• Warm blooded animals are endothermic, they are able to generate their own internal heat
• Poikilothermic animals are those whose body temperatures fluctuate with and is similar to its environment
• Why are substrates necessary?

  • promote natural behaviour
  • provide comfort
  • soak up urine or faeces
  • encourage foraging
• What are the key accommodation considerations?

  • type of accommodation
  • size
  • location (predator/prey, direct sunlight, draught)
  • access to accommodation
• what are some examples of substrates?

  sawdust, hemp bedding, hay, peat, aquarium gravels, paper
• Reptile and amphibian enclosures need heat lamps and small vents, some may require a vub lamp while others may require misting
• External mammal and bird enclosures usually provide an indoor and outdoor area. In winter, animals may need additional substrate, blankets or heat lamps